News
Artwork selected for new municipal police detachment

Oct. 4, 2023, Prince Rupert, B.C. – The ink has dried on the final contract with artist Nicholas John, the first-place prize winner in the City’s call for artists for work to be placed on the side of the municipal police detachment. The call for artists saw 11 submissions, with Nicholas John taking the first prize of $10,000, Chris Fraser placing second for $6,500 and Kristen Mckay receiving the third prize place of $3,500. The submissions were adjudicated by a committee comprised of local artist representatives Lynn Cociani and Kelli Clifton, Sandy Jones from the Prince Rupert Community Arts Council, Veronika Stewart from the City and Officer in Charge Gerry Walker of the RCMP.

“I am honoured to have my submission selected to be placed on our local RCMP at the new municipal police detachment building in Prince Rupert,” said Nicholas John. “The centre of the artwork features a majestic eagle, symbolizing strength and grace, reflecting the local RCMP’s unwavering commitment to protecting and serving our community. The surrounding imagery of towering tree tops pays homage to Prince Rupert’s rainforest, reminding us of our shared responsibility to preserve our heritage for future generations. The stripes in the background represent the rainbow, symbolizes the city’s diversity, and is intended to foster unity and pride in our interconnectedness.”

John is a contemporary artist, illustrator and graphic designer based in Prince Rupert, with over 10 years of professional experience. Locally, he has worked as an after-school art teacher with the School District, and has also worked in the local screen and print sector. His work has been shown both locally and internationally at multiple galleries.

“Not only is this building going to breathe some new life into the entrance to our downtown, but the community will get to enjoy Nick’s artwork for generations to come,” said Mayor Herb Pond. “He clearly put a good amount of thought and effort into our brief as well as the space and medium, and this is a well-deserved reward. We also appreciate all of the other artists who took the time out to make a submission, and encourage them to continue to look to future opportunities with us.”

The artwork consists of two impressive 6’ x 20’ panels that will converge at the building’s corner. The medium selected for the artwork was also unique, and chosen due to its resilience in wet, northern climates. The surfacing, called “Ombrae systems” is comprised of a series of metal tabs that are bent to refract light and shadows that display the image, and that are dynamic for the viewer. Given the unique surface selected, the designs submitted were not only reviewed according to how well they met the brief, but serious consideration was also given to how legible the artwork would be in the proposed medium, as well as the use of space provided.

Fraser and Mckay’s selected artworks will be used in later projects in the community as determined by the city in collaboration with the artists.

You can see the winning artwork here: https://www.princerupert.ca/index-pages/news/artwork-selected-new-municipal-police-detachment#